Public outrage at tax avoidance takes to the high street
Sir Philip Green was at the centre of another tax row this week as protestors shut down his flagship Topshop store in London’s Oxford Street over the weekend.
The protest, organised by activist group UK Uncut, saw 200 people descend on the store as part of a day of action striking out against the tax arrangements of wealthy individuals and businesses.
Green was accused of deliberately trying to avoid paying hundreds of millions of pounds in tax in 2005, after awarding his wife a £1.2bn dividend – the largest ever in corporate history. Since Mrs Green lives in Monaco, she saved some £300m in tax – money that the UK Treasury missed out on.
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Effective protest
I don't really know if this sort of thing achieves anything except chilblains for those taking part. Protesting outside HMRC offices about the tax rate is clearly a waste of time. (Who sets tax rates?)
If you really want to hit Sir Phil where it hurts, don't buy his merchandise. And don't subscribe to Vodafone. And for that matter, don't order CDs online from an address in Guernsey.
Oh, actually I already don't do all that . And I've never been 'kettled' as far as I know.